Nebraska’s Kenny Bell, left, lands in the end zone after catching a touchdown pass, with Minnesota’s Michael Carter (23), in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. (Nati Harnik, The Associated Press)

Former Fairview High School star wide receiver Kenny Bell was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round with the 162nd pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Bell is the son of former Denver Broncos’ Ken Bell. The 23-year-old had 181 catches for 2,689 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns during his four-year career at the University of Nebraska.

“I had talked to the coaching staff at the combine,” Bell said to the media after being drafted. “I loved everything about the Bucs staff. I’ve actually got a hometown friend, (tight ends) coach Jon Embree, who’s a close family friend of mine. There wasn’t much of an inkling, but I can’t really explain how excited I am to be a Buccaneer.

“It’s a dream come true, to say the least.”

Bell was a Denver Post All-Colorado selection in high school.

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Indianapolis–Texas defensive tackle Lamarr Houston, who is a Doherty High School graduate in Colorado Springs, was once a “275-pound running back” and now finds himself in a deep class of defensive tackles in this year’s draft.

But Houston played both defensive end and defensive tackle in the Longhorns’ defense which is why 3-4 teams like the Broncos have him on their radar.

Most years Houston would be getting plenty of attention, it’s just this year two of the top players in the draft — Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy — are also defensive tackles.

Suh and McCoy also played in the Big 12.

“I love being under the radar,” Houston said Saturday. “A lot of guys under the radar, that’s a good thing for them, there’s less scrutiny. Playing behind those two guys it’s an honor to play in a conference with those guys. Being overlooked doesn’t bother me at all.’’

At 6-2 3/4 Houston may be slightly shorter than some teams would prefer as a 3-4 defensive end, but Houston played in 42 games at Texas, starting 32 so they have plenty to look at to grade his play.

“A lot of teams want to play some 3-4, they want to play some 4-3,” Houston said. “If they have a guy out there who can just stay in there and not have to pick up a guy who’s a defensive end and pick up a guy who’s a defensive tackle, that they can pick up a guy who can do both would benefit them more. I think versatility just helps anybody in the draft.’’

And it will certainly help him.

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The Broncos on Monday acquired offensive lineman Russ Hochstein in a trade with New England. Denver sent the Patriots a seventh-round draft pick for 2010 — the same pick the Patriots gave the Broncos last week as part of the trade that brought defensive end Le Kevin Smith to Denver.

“We borrowed it for a couple days,” coach Josh McDaniels said.

Hochstein, 6-4, 305, played in 91 games from 2002-2008 for the Patriots, including 15 games in 2008. He started the final two games of last season at fullback. Hochstein, who played college football at Nebraska, was originally drafted in the fifth round in 2001 by Tampa Bay.

“I’m familiar with the player. He’s versatile, he’s got a lot of different talents,” McDaniels said. He can play center, he play guard, he’s also played tackle, tight end.”

Hochstein is the sixth former Patriot signed by McDaniels since he became head coach in January. The others are: Smith, long snapper Lonie Paxton, wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, running back LaMont Jordan and safety Antwain Spann, who was signed on Monday.

The Broncos, as we well know, have a history of successfully unearthing quality running backs in the late rounds of the draft.

Terrell Davis was drafted in the sixth round (196th overall). Mike Anderson also went in the sixth round (189th). Olandis Gary was a fourth-rounder (120th). And Selvin Young never was picked in the draft. He signed as a free agent last year.

No one knows who the next diamond in the rough will be. But Mike Shanahan would not be crazy to take a serious look at former Chadron State standout Danny Woodhead, college football’s all-time, all-division rushing leader.

We all know the defensive front is the Broncos’ greatest need. After a strong offseason in free agency and in trades, the Broncos built a solid roster. But the defensive line wasn’t addressed. The Broncos were runners-up for defensive end Patrick Kerney, who signed with Seattle.Read more…

If the Denver Broncos end up making their first overall selection of the 2007 NFL Draft at their current spot – No. 21 – who should they select?

Many mock draft in cyberspace, including Bill Williamson’s NFL mock draft, have the Broncos filling a need at the pass rush with Nebraska defensive end Adam Carriker. Florida defensive end Jarvis Moss has also been suggested.Read more…

Although the Broncos are off to individual destinations unknown during this bye week, there is a significant game for them on this weekâ€™s NFL schedule: The San Diego Chargers at the Baltimore Ravens.

Both teams are undefeated. With Oakland among the leagueâ€™s most dreadful teams and Kansas City punchless without quarterback Trent Green and with a defensive-oriented coaching staff, the Chargers are clearly the Broncosâ€™ top challenger for the AFC West Division title.Read more…

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.